Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s reputation has been built on fearless hitting and towering sixes, but the teenage sensation showed another side of his game during India A’s tri-series clash against Afghanistan A in Dambulla on Thursday.
The 15-year-old smashed 44 off just 22 balls at the top of the order, hitting nine boundaries and setting the tone for India A’s imposing total of 349/9 in 49 overs. More importantly, the innings came without a single six, highlighting his ability to adjust to conditions that offered far more assistance to bowlers than the batting-friendly pitches he encountered during the IPL.
India A vs Afghanistan A: UPDATES
Coming into the match, there was plenty of interest in how Sooryavanshi would fare outside the IPL. After scoring just 12 against Sri Lanka A in India’s opening game, the youngster responded with a sparkling knock against Afghanistan A.
Opening the innings after Afghanistan A opted to bowl, Sooryavanshi got going straight away. He cut Mohammad Ibrahim for boundaries off his first two deliveries and never allowed the bowlers to settle. Anything wide was punished, while short deliveries were dispatched with authority through the off-side.
Afghanistan A searched for answers but struggled to contain him. Abdullah Ahmadzai was driven square through the off-side, lofted over point and punched through cover as Sooryavanshi raced away in the PowerPlay. Even an outside edge that flew past slip for four reflected the pressure he had already placed on the bowling attack.
Sooryavanshi’s entertaining knock ended on 44 when Ahmadzai cramped him for room with a short ball from around the wicket. Looking to guide it fine, he edged behind to wicketkeeper Ishaq Rahimi. The teenager stood his ground for a moment before walking back, clearly disappointed at missing out on a bigger score.
Yet the innings had already made an impression. For a batter who hit a record 72 sixes in the IPL season to go past Chris Gayle’s record tally, the most notable aspect of this knock was that he did not hit a single one. Instead, Sooryavanshi relied on timing and placement, finding gaps with ease and keeping the scoreboard ticking. All nine of his boundaries came along the ground, showcasing a different side to his batting and an ability to adjust to the demands of the situation.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar was among those impressed.
“India A is in Sri Lanka, the pitch is not as flat as in the IPL and it’s not T20 cricket. So watching Vaibhav Suryavanshi in different batting conditions and I am excited,” Manjrekar wrote on X.
“He is not just your T20 slogger. He can be a one-day phenomenon too. Special talent.”
While Sooryavanshi provided the early impetus, India A’s batting effort was powered by contributions throughout the order. Prabhsimran Singh top-scored with 84, while Ruturaj Gaikwad and captain Tilak Varma registered half-centuries to ensure India A made the most of the start.
The total of 349/9 reflected the depth in the batting line-up, but Sooryavanshi’s innings offered a reminder that there is more to his game than big hits.
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